Wizards Get Javaris Crittenton and Mike James

Posted on January 14, 2013
by FantasticWiz

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired guards Javaris Crittenton from Memphis and Mike James from New Orleans in a three-team trade. As part of the deal, Washington sends Antonio Daniels to New Orleans and sends back a conditional first round draft pick to Memphis (that was initially acquired from Memphis in exchange for the draft rights to Juan Carlos Navarro on August 16, 2007), while New Orleans also receives a conditional second round pick from Memphis. In addition, the Wizards have waived guard Dee Brown. Here is the press release.

This trade strengthens our backcourt by giving us a veteran NBA point guard (James) who can help us immediately and a young shooting guard (Crittenton) who can help us now and has the potential to blossom into a long-term contributor.

Memphis receives a conditional first round pick (from Washington) and New Orleans receives a conditional second round pick (from Memphis)

The conditional first round pick sent to Memphis was originally acquired by Washington from Memphis in exchange for the draft rights to Juan Carlos Navarro on August 16, 2007

Wizards also waive guard Dee Brown to free up a roster spot

What The Wizards Get in the Deal:

Trade brings new energy to the backcourt

Shakes up our lineup and gives us a new look and more flexibility

Gives us a proven NBA scorer and veteran point guard in James

Gives us a recent first round pick with tremendous athletic ability in Crittenton

Their combination of skills compliments our current players and system and will fit in even better upon the return of Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood

Appreciate what Antonio did for the team during his three-plus years with the Wizards and what Dee did in his short time here and we wish them the best

BACKGROUND INFO ON JAVARIS CRITTENTON
* 6-5, 200-pound guard
* Name pronounced Jah-VAR-iss CRIT-en-ton
* Currently in his second NBA season, averaging 2.7 points in 6.3 minutes
* Split time last season between the L.A. Lakers (22 games) and Memphis (28 games)
* Averaged 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game as a Grizzly last season
* Originally drafted by the Lakers with the 19th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as a freshman at Georgia Tech
* Traded by the Lakers to Memphis along with Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, two future first round picks (2008 & 2010) and cash considerations in exchange for Pau Gasol and a 2010 second round pick on Feb. 1, 2008

BACKGROUND INFO ON MIKE JAMES
* 6-2, 188-pound guard
* Currently in his eighth NBA season
* Career averages of 10.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds
* Averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists in 2005-06 with the Raptors
* Has averaged double figures with four different NBA teams
* Has played with Miami, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Toronto, Minnesota, Houston and New Orleans
* Was a teammate of Caron Butler during he 2002-03 season in Miami
* Played collegiately at Duquesne; was not drafted by an NBA team

Is it just me or even on this rainy Wednesday morning did it feel about 10 times easier to get out of bed. Anyway Sportzwiz checking in, great game last night. You really can't say enough about the professionalism of Juan Dixon to come off the bench after several DNP's and just playing great out